Creeping Myrtle

Creeping Myrtle - Vinca minor. This flowering plant species is a native of southern and central Europe as well as southwestern Asia. The plant is a trailing and vined subshrub, which spreads across the ground and has rooting along its stems. This rooting forms clonal colonies. The plant always covers the ground rather than intertwining or climbing like other vines. There are evergreen leaves with a leathery texture with a glossy sheen. The plant's flowers are solitary and are produced in the early spring through the midsummer. Some flowers may be produced into the beginning of autumn. The flowers are violet, pale purple, or sometimes white.

It is ideal for areas that have open spaces. This is a plant that is great for yards where other flowers won’t grow. Fast growing, this plant will take root and spread over the area in no time. It has a lavender flower that contrasts well with the dark green leaves. The flower blooms in the spring and summer, making it a beautiful plant to blend with daisies and daffodils. There is little care involved with this plant. Just water it every few days, and make sure you keep the undergrowth cut out so that it looks healthy.

Creeping myrtle is also known as dwarf periwinkle and lesser periwinkle. Its other names include small periwinkle and common periwinkle. It is often used as ground cover and does not grow very high, or climb, although it can bunch together in places to reach over twelve inches in height. It is native to southern Europe but can be found in the Netherlands, Portugal, France, and across North America. Creeping myrtle is easily distinguished by its purple, five-petal flower and waxy leaves. The fruit is two follicles approximately one-inch long. Each follicle produces over a dozen seeds. In North America, it is considered an invasive species, but it can be removed by uprooting during spring. It is deemed to be difficult to remove and requires persistent cutting and chemical treatments. If removal is desired, it is suggested the plant be dug entirely up to where possible.